Chapter 38
Four months later…
Dash and Agent Harper stepped out of the Black Guard sedan before he opened the back door. Jaye Lachlin stepped out, wrapped in a rough blanket.
“Thanks, Agent Keller.”
Dash didn’t correct him. There was no point. Not when Jaye’s parents were waiting on their son. “You’re more than welcome.”
Jaye’s parents rushed forward to embrace their missing son, tears streaming down their faces.
Dash leaned against the side of the car.
Jaye was one of many abducted alphas recently returned home.
Searching for all of the auctioned alphas had taken much longer than Dash had imagined it would.
Crenshaw had covered his tracks too well.
Client names had been in code and Dash, along with the team of Black Guardsmen still assigned to the case, had had to break each code individually.
So far, they’d found ten alphas. There were dozens more left to hunt down, some who’d been missing for a decade.
As he watched the Lachlins holding their adult son, he caressed the small swell to his stomach, vowing to never let his own son come to danger, all while logically knowing he couldn’t protect him at all times.
A camera shutter snapped nearby.
Dash turned to see a familiar reporter scribbling in a notebook while a man beside him took shots of the happy family reunited. Dash crossed over to them, stepping in front of the camera’s lens and holding up his hand.
“Come on, Meade. Let them have this moment in privacy.”
“This story is big news, Dash. The people of this province are excited to hear about all of these reunions,” Meade said.
“You can print the story, and since they’re well-known, use a stock photo of them instead of sharing something this intimate. If that was you there, would you want it splashed across the front page?” Dash asked.
“No, but my last name isn’t Lachlin.”
“They’re still only people.”
“People who’ve funded organizations which have fought against positive alpha-attracted legislation. I wonder if Jaye’s father might change his tune if the public learned the reason why his son was abducted. Maybe we should ask them and find out.”
Dash eyed the Lachlins, who waved to him before ushering Jaye into the back of a waiting car. He turned back to Meade. “You can’t out Jaye just for a cause.”
“Everyone’s going to assume once they learn he’s been returned,” Meade said. “Most people have put two and two together at this point and realize which alphas were targeted by Crenshaw.”
“Assumption and fact are two different things.”
Meade eyed him. “How about this? I’ll write up a little puff piece and not use the pictures we just took—if you give me the interview I’ve been begging for.”
Dash rolled his eyes.
“Come on, Dashiell. The province wants to know your story in depth. The first registered alpha-omega. The man who just might push the legality of alpha-alpha relationships onto the ballot in a few months.”
Dash hedged. He’d already had enough publicity after their case was broadcast—and he’d had reporters camped outside his house for a month. He didn’t want more noise, not when it was finally quieting. Especially when he’d soon show and there’d likely be another uproar to come.
“Dash, I get it. It’s a lot for one man to take on.
You’re the face of alpha-alpha relationships by no choice of your own—but have you considered the lives you might save by speaking out?
Could you sway people to vote yes to allow other men like you and Emerson to be free to love one another in the daylight, too?
And what about other potential hybrids?”
“Others? Do you know of any?”
“Yeah,” Meade said. “I’ve had a couple here in the province and a few outside it reach out to me, but they’re hesitant to come forward. Maybe you could encourage them with this interview. Let me humanize you for the masses and make them see you’re just like everyone else.”
Dash considered Meade’s request a moment. “I’d have conditions.”
“Like?”
“I won’t speak about the case against Crenshaw. Or the missing alphas. It’s ongoing and I won’t jeopardize our momentum.”
“Agreed,” Meade said. “I want them home as much as you do. And I respect you for all you’ve already done. I won’t impact that investigation.”
“And Emerson is off the table.”
“Oh, come on,” Meade said. “You’re a package deal! I have to interview him, too.”
“Only if he completely agrees and even then, limited access.”
“Overprotective much?” Meade asked. “You really are a dominant, aren’t you? I don’t see a smidge of omega.” He tapped Dash’s belly. “Oh, wait, there it is.”
Dash’s eyes widened.
“Emerson’s a big boy. I bet his babies will be, too. Either you need to hide it better or lock yourself inside for the next however many months.”
Dash growled lowly.
“The interview would be a great way to let the world know an alpha is pregnant.”
Dash scoffed. “No.”
“They’re going to figure it out sooner or later. Why not control the message?” Meade asked. “It might help sway voters, too. Especially if I can also tempt the other hybrids into coming out into the light.”
“How would that sway voters to an amendment that, I’ll add, hasn’t even been approved for the ballot yet?”
“If people see that two alphas have produced a child, they might be more willing to vote yes to decriminalize alpha-alpha attraction. If we can verify you’re not the only one—that means there are more alphas out there capable of having children.”
“I’m not exactly alpha, now am I? Neither are any other hybrids.”
“You were classified that once as they are now. And what if there are even more like you than we realize. I only know of the ones who’ve reached out. Your interview might bring more out of the woodwork for all we know.”
“A lot of ifs.”
Meade shrugged. “We’re in a world of possibilities these days. Betas becoming omegas. Alpha hybrids who can have babies. It’s a wild, wild world and who knows what happens next, Dash.”
“I’ll consider an announcement, but no promises. And I’d want to see the finished piece before publication—with the right to demand changes.”
Meade sighed. “Come on, Dash.”
“Those are my conditions. You want the interview, this is what I’m willing to offer. Take it or leave it.”
Meade growled. “Fine. I'll take it.”
Dash smiled.
“When can we do this?”
“We’ve got another alpha we’re close to finding. I should have some time after that to sit down.”
Meade’s eyes glittered with excitement. “How about I go with you?”
“Did I not just say you can’t meddle in the investigation?”
“By the time it publishes, the guy will be free. The story of your heroism and undying bravery in saving these men will be a great addition to the story.”
“It’s beginning to sound like three different stories in one.”
“Oooh, a three-part expose. I like it,” Meade said, grinning.
“You’re impossible.”
Meade grinned. “But you like me. You really like me.”
Jackson pulled up and eyed the pair of them through the windshield, shaking his head. Meade growled. Jackson got out and walked over, glaring at Meade.
He turned his focus to Dash. “I heard we had another successful reunion. Congrats.”
“Well, if it isn’t the new head of the Red Guard,” Meade muttered, staring at Jackson. “Anything you’d like to comment to add to my story on Jaye Lachlin’s return?”
Jackson focused on Meade, narrowing his eyes. “Yeah. I’m not the head of the Red Guard. I’m temporarily running things until a new Commander is named to run a new, clean, corruption-free department. Get that straight.”
“Make me,” Meade whispered to Jackson.
“Alright,” Jackson said. “Be at my apartment by nine and I’ll have the handcuffs ready.”
Meade growled at him before turning and stalking away.
Dash eyed Jackson. “You… and Meade?”
Jackson shrugged. “It was a one-night thing. He never told me he was a reporter. Since that night, he’s been trying to push my buttons every chance he gets. I just push his right back.”
Dash snickered. “A match made in hell.”
“Nah. He scratched an itch. No match about it.” Jackson eyed him. “How you doing?”
“Good. Tired, but good.”
Jackson scanned his body. “The next extraction is going to be run by Harper. I might pair him up with Randall. Might be good to see him in action and see how he handles himself.”
“And what—I’m going to watch him and take notes?”
“Nooo. You’re not going to be there,” Jackson said, waving to Harper.
“Excuse me?”
“It hasn’t escaped my notice that your midsection is thickening. I won’t have Emerson Walker knocking down my front door because something has happened to his mate—and unborn child.”
Dash growled. “Emerson approves of me going on these missions.”
“I don’t think your mate knows how dangerous some of them have been. Should I enlighten him?”
Dash narrowed his gaze.
“This is who you are. An agent. A badass.” Jackson paused. “But you’re about to become a papa. And I can’t endanger you and your child by sending you on another mission.”
“Fuck,” Dash spat.
“I’m not taking you off the case. Your research and insight is invaluable. You’re just not going to be boots on the ground. You can help run the op from behind a computer, though. Give intel. Directions. Maintain comms. Keep the team safe. From afar.”
Dash considered that. “I have always wanted to handle a team mission.”
Jackson grinned. “I know. So what do you say?”
“Am I allowed to run an op as a consultant?”
“Already got it approved from upstairs. Along with an offer of employment, too.”
“I have a job. Running Keller and Davis Security.”
“Which Mason has practically been running solo while you work with us,” Jackson said.
“Once all of the alphas are found, then the job’s over?”
Jackson shook his head. “We’re building a field office here in Fort Seattle and the bigwigs think you’d make one hell of a handler for an ops team.”
A way back into the Black Guard? Did he really want that? “They called me a liability once. What’s changed?”